Business Showcase brought to you by Screen NZ International l 16 April 2026
Feeding the Film Industry:
The People Behind Carwyn’s Catering
For more than a decade, Carwyn’s Catering has earned a reputation as one of New Zealand’s most trusted names in film and production catering — built on exceptional food, operational precision, and a deeply people-focused approach.
Founded in 2013 by husband-and-wife team Carwyn and Odette Powell, the business reflects decades of combined hospitality experience shaped within some of the industry’s most demanding environments.
Carwyn Powell began his film catering career in 1998 while completing an international cookery scholarship in London. Working at Shepperton Studios on Love Labour’s Lost, he discovered a passion for the fast-paced, high-pressure nature of on-set catering. More than 30 years into his culinary career — including 26 years in film production — that same commitment to delivering quality under pressure continues to define the business.
Alongside him, Odette Powell brings more than three decades of hospitality experience across restaurant management and fine dining, including sommelier roles at Neil Perry’s acclaimed Rockpool and other leading establishments. Since entering the film industry in 2006, she has become central to the company’s operational strength, combining meticulous organisation with attentive, personalised service.
Together, the Powells have built a company grounded in professionalism, consistency, and genuine care — values that continue to distinguish Carwyn’s Catering within New Zealand’s production landscape.
At the heart of the business is a simple philosophy: deliver exceptional cuisine anywhere, under any circumstances. Whether catering for small crews or productions involving hundreds of cast and crew, the team approaches every project with the same hands-on dedication. Dietary requirements are treated not as obstacles, but as opportunities to ensure every individual feels considered and accommodated.
That culture begins with leadership. If a shift starts at 3am, Carwyn and Odette are there alongside their team — leading by example and setting the standard through action.
Sustainability and responsible sourcing also remain central to the company’s evolving ethos. Carwyn’s Catering prioritises high-quality local suppliers, including long-standing partner The Produce Company, a New Zealand-owned business the team has supported since inception. For the Powells, supporting local producers reflects both their values and their investment in the wider industry community.
Recent productions have further demonstrated the scale and capability of the operation. One of the company’s largest projects required the simultaneous management of onset buffet service, offset buffet service, and extras lunch boxes, with up to 900 people catered for across multiple locations on peak days.
Rather than simply meeting the demands, the experience strengthened the company’s systems, teamwork, and collaborative culture under pressure.
For Carwyn and Odette, however, success has never been an individual pursuit. They remain quick to credit the hardworking team behind every production — the people who arrive before dawn, adapt seamlessly, and continue delivering excellence regardless of circumstance.
In an industry built on timing, precision, and endurance, Carwyn’s Catering has become known for more than outstanding food. It is recognised for reliability, humility, and a deeply personal approach to hospitality that leaves a lasting impression long after the cameras stop rolling.
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CONTACT CARWYN’S CATERING
Auckland
Carwyn Powell - Co Founder - +64 22 188 9738
Odette Powell - Co Founder - +64 22 601 3741
VISIT CARWYN CATERING’S PROFILE